AUGUSTA — Bicentennial Nature Park could return from the brink of closure once again.
City Councilor Daniel Emery says he’ll propose to keep the popular city swimming spot open, at least partially funded by user fees.
But other city officials are concerned there may not be enough time to ready the park and hire staff to work there, with summer fast approaching.
Two weeks ago, councilors approved a $51.4 million city and school budget that did not include any funding to open Bicentennial Nature Park, saving the city about $40,000.
After hearing from residents who want the park to remain open, Emery and other councilors want to find a way to open the park this summer and establish a committee to look at ways to keep it open in future summers, too.
“A significant number of people in the community feel we fumbled on this one,” said Councilor Cecil Munson. “People really want to see that park in place. I’m thinking, if we can find a way to do that, we ought to.”
Emery, who said last week he plans to propose keeping the park open at tonight’s City Council meeting, which begins at 6:30 at Augusta City Center, said his thoughts include charging $10 for a season pass to use the park. He also suggested the city form a committee to look into how to fund the park long-term.
“Maybe we can create a revenue source out of (selling season passes) and take Bicentennial Nature Park off the chopping block every year,” Emery said.
City Manager William Bridgeo, who played a significant role in creating Bicentennial Nature Park in 2001, has proposed closing the park to save money before, though he said doing so was a difficult decision. His initial budget proposal in 2009 proposed closing the park, though councilors restored funding to it in the budget they ultimately approved.
The city has about $4,000 in a council contingency account in the current year’s budget that some councilors said could be put toward opening the park, at least part-time, this summer.
But Mayor William Stokes warned there may be logistical obstacles to opening it this summer, such as finding workers and getting the park on Three Corner Pond ready.
So if councilors are going to ask that it be reopened, they need to do so soon.
Community Services Director Leif Dahlin said it would be a challenge to open the park this summer but it could be possible.
“Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat,” Dahlin joked.
Keith Edwards — 621-5647
kedwards@centralmaine.com
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